Nepal’s Central Zoo to reopen on Friday as environmental samples test negative for bird flu
Nepal's Central Zoo is set to reopen after being closed since June 19 due to a bird flu outbreak that killed several captive animals. Environmental samples have tested negative, and officials have implemented safety measures to protect visitors.
Why it matters
The reopening marks the end of a significant public health and operational crisis for the facility, which suffered substantial revenue losses.
The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, which has remained closed since June 19 following a bird flu outbreak, is set to reopen on Friday after environmental samples tested negative for avian influenza. PHOTO: THE KATHMANDU POST
KATHMANDU – With environmental samples of wild birds collected from the zoo premises testing negative for avian influenza, also known as the bird flu virus, the Central Zoo is all set to reopen to the general public from Friday.
A high-level meeting comprising senior officials from the Department of Livestock Services, the Central Veterinary Laboratory, and the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, among others, held on Thursday, took the decision to this effect.
“We have decided to reopen the zoo to visitors from Friday,” said Ganesh Koirala, spokesperson for the Central Zoo. “Lab tests on environmental samples collected from the zoo premises came back negative.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in